Electrostatic latent image development

An imaging process, comprising the steps of:

• generating an electrostatic latent image on an imaging member having a surface capable of supporting toner particles, wherein the electrostatic latent image includes image areas defined by a first charge voltage and non-image areas defined by a second charge voltage distinguishable from the first charge voltage;
• depositing toner particles on the surface of said imaging member to form a toner layer thereon adjacent the image and non-image areas of the electrostatic latent image;
• selectively delivering charges to the toner layer in an image-wise manner responsive to the electrostatic latent image on said imaging member for forming a secondary latent image in the toner layer having image and non-image areas corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on said imaging member;
• and
• selectively separating portions of the toner layer from the imaging member in accordance with the secondary latent image in the toner layer for creating a developed image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the imaging member.

An image development apparatus for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an imaging member, comprising:

• means for depositing a layer of marking particles on the imaging member;
• means for creating an electrical discharge in a vicinity of the layer of marking particles on the imaging member to selectively charge the layer of marking particles in response to the electrostatic latent image on the imaging member so as to create a second electrostatic latent image in the layer of marking particles;
• and
• means for selectively separating portions of the layer of marking particles in accordance with the second latent image for creating a developed image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image formed on the imaging member.

An image development process for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an imaging member, comprising the steps of:

• depositing a layer of marking particles on the imaging member;
• selectively charging the layer of marking particles in response to the electrostatic latent image for creating a second electrostatic latent image in the layer of marking particles corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the imaging member;
• and
• selectively separating portions of the layer of marking particles in accordance with the second latent image for creating a developed image.